Refrigerator car



July 11, 1933. E. c. WOOD REFRIGERATQR CAR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 E 1 wk Filed July 11, 1932 July 11, 1933. EjC. WOOD 1,917,866

- REFRIGERATOR CAR Filed July 11, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inwfenjs; Ida/aid 479/004 July 11, 1933. E. c. wo D REFRIGERATOR CAR s Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 11, 1932 Irnkefi ZE /u/ard aqwmz a? Q W ovrygys.

Patented July 11, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE' EDWARD G. WOOD, OF HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO NORTH AMERICAN CAR CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS REFRIGERATOR CAR Application filed July 11,1982. Serial 1T0. 621,909.

the refrigerant, the motive fluid for actuating said means being derived from the vaporized refrigerant.

As is now well known, solidified carbon dioxide has an extremely low temperature, and when a sufficient quantity of heat is absorbed thereby it passes directly into the gaseous state. A very large quantity of gas is evolved in comparison with the original volume of the solid refrigerant. It will be apparent that if the refrigerant is confined within a gas-tight container, considerable fluid pressure will be developed Within this container as the refrigerant vaporizes. Carbon dioxide gas is also a very effective insulator, and as a blanket of this gas is formed around the solid refrigerant (and also about the goods within the compartment to be refrigerated, if the gas is permitted to escape into this compartment) the rate of vaporization of the refrigerant is considerably reduced. However, if the gas is permitted to escape, and the rate of vaporization consequently increased, more heat is absorbed from the car and the goods therein so that a much lower temperature may be maintained if this is desirable.

According to the present invention, the gas under pressure evolved in the refrigerant-holding container is utilized to control the circulation of air from the compartment to be refrigerated in contact with or in proximity to the'container for the refrigerant. More specifically, the container for the refrigerant is positioned in a compartment or passage through which air from the compartment containing the goods to be refrig-- erate'd is circulated, and a shutter or closure provided for cutting off the inlet opening pressure developed in the container is utilized as a motive fluid. The flow of this motive fluid to the motor is thermostatically controlled in accordance with changes in temperature within the main compartment of the refrigerator car, so that the shutter or closure will be closed and the circulation of air in contact with the refrigerant-containef be cut oil when the temperature with-'1v in the car has fallen to the desired point. A fan or other similar means isprovided for positively enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, and a fluid-pressure motor utilizing as amotive fluid gas under pressure from the container operates the fan.

A valve for controlling the flow of motive fluid to this last mentioned motor is controlled simultaneously with the shutters-or closure in such a manner that the fan is only operated when the closure is in open position.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus for controlling the circulation of air about the refrigerating means by means of the gas pressure developed by vaporization of the refrigerant, as briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow. 7

Another object is to provide improved thermostatically controlled means for regulating the supply of motive-fluid to the closure-operating motor.

Another object is to provide improved means for controlling the supply of motivefluid to the fan-operating motor in accordance with the position of the closure or the temperature within the car.

Other objects and advantages of thisv invention'will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of apparatus constructed and operated according to the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

v Fig. 1 is a partial longitudinal vertical section through the refrigerating car.

a Fig. 2 is a horizontal section throughthe car taken just below the roof of the car.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse vertical section, taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central horizontal section through the thermostatically-operated distributing valve.

The refrigerator car A may be of the usual type provided with suitably insulated walls, and usually having side doors 1 in the side walls intermediate the length of the car. In each end of the car is positioned one of the improved refrigerating assemblies indi'- cated at B, these assemblies being substantial duplicates of one another so that only one need be described. Positioned in some central portion ofthe car, preferably just beneath the roof 2 and supported therefrom, is the controlling assembly which operates the closures for each of the refrigerating assemblies'B in accordance with changes in temperature in the main compartment 3 of the car, as hereinafter described.

Adjacent each-end of the car an internal vertical bulkhead 4 separates a refrigerating chamber5 from the main central chamber 3, the bulkhead terminating short of the roof 2 and floor 6 of the car so as to leave an upper inlet'passage 7 and a lower outlet passage 8 connecting the main compartment 3 with the refrigerating compartment 5.

The container for the refrigerant compris'es a pair of similar metal containers 9 and 9 positioned vertically and edge to edge within the chamber 5 so as to form virtually a single container with a central vertical partition. Obviously, a single container could be usedif desired. These containers are supported within compartment or passage 5 in any suitable manner and are preferably so positioned that air can circulate around all sides of the metal container so as to provide a maximum cooling surface.

Eacheontainer is completely. closed except for an opening in its top which is normally closed by a cover 10 held in. place in any suitable manner so as to resist the gas pressure which will be developed within the container. A hatchway 11 extending through the roof 2 of the car is provided with a removable, hatch cover 11 whereby access'may be obtained to the containers 9 and 9 to replenish the supply of refrigerant.

The relatively warm air within compartment 3 will rise toward the roof 2 and pass through openings 7 into the refrigerating passages or compartments 5. This air will be cooled by contact with the refrigerant containers 9 and will flow down through passages 5 and thence out through openings 8 into the compartment 3. The present invention relates particularly to improved means for controlling the flow of air through the refrigerating chanibers or passages 5 and thus controlling the temperature of the air within the main compartment 3 of the car.

A closure is provided for each of the inlet openings 7, in the present form this closure being shown as a spring-closed roller curtain 12 supported adjacent the lower edge of opening 7 and being adapted to be drawn up so as to cut off this opening by means of a cable 13 which passes up over a direction sheave 14 and thence extends horizontally beneath the roof 2 toward the center of the car. The two cables 13are passed around direction sheaves 15 and attached to a crosshead 16 mounted at the outer end of a piston rod 17 and movable between suitable guides 18. The piston rod 17 extends outwardly from a piston 19 movable within a pressure cylinder 20. The motive-fluid is alternatively admitted to or exhausted from the opposite. ends of cylinder 20 through the conduits 21 and 22 whereby the piston 19 is positively moved from one. end of the cylinder to the other. When moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, the cables 13 will be paid out thus permitting the springs to roll up the curtains 12 thus opening the passages 7 leading into the refrigerating compartments. When mo tive fluid is admitted throughconduit 22 to the opposite end of cylinder 20, the piston 19 and crosshcad 16 will be moved in such a direction as to draw in the cables 13, thus elevating or unrolling the curtains. l2 and closing the openings 7 thus cutting off the flow of air into' the refrigerating compartments 5. The flow of motive fluid to the motor-cylinder 20 is controlled in response to temperature changes within the main compartment 3 by the thermostatically actuated valve 23, shown more in detail in Fig. 4. a

The main block or housing 24 of this valve is formed with a cylindrical passage 25 in which is fitted a tubular bushing 26 within which slidesthe movable cylindrical valve member 27. This member 27 is formed with two spaced apart annular grooves 28 and 29.

NVhen the valve member 27 is in the position shown in Fig. 4, the groove 28 is aligned with and connects the two ports 30 and 31 formed in diametrically opposite sides of the bushing 26. VVhen'the movable valve member 27 is moved to its other extreme position the groove 29 will align with andconnect the two ports 32 and 33 in bushing 26. Movement of the valve member 27 in one direction is limited by engagement with the inner end of adj usting screw 34 mounted in the screw plug 35 which closes one end of passage 25 in block 24.

Movement of the valve member 27 in the other direction is limited by engagement of the conical projection 36 on the valve member ,with the head of an adjusting screw 37 mounted in the fitting 38 which closes the other end of passage 25.

The motive-fluid (which as hereinafter explained consists of vaporized refrigerant under pressure from the containers 9 and 9') flows through pipe 39 and strainer. 40 into the chamber 41 in block 24, and thence through passage 42 into the longitudinally extending chamber 43 in the tube 26 'with which compassages 44 and 45in block 24 with which the ports 31 and 33 in tube 26 communicate. An exhaust pipe 46 which leads outside the car communicates with a passage 47 in. the valve block 24 which leads toa chamber 48in cylinder 26 from which ports 49 and 49f, which are respectively parallel to and adjacent the ports 31 and 33, extend into the central cylindrical passage in which the valve 27 slides.

It will now be seen that when the movable valve member 27 is in the position shown in Fig. 4 the motivefluid will flow from pipe 39 through passages 41, 42, 43, port 30, annular recess 28 in the movable valve member 27, port 31, and passage 44 and pipe21 to one end of motor cylinder 20. At the same time the other end of the motor cylinder 20 will be connected with the exhaust pipe 46 through pipe 22, passage 45, port 33, annular recess 29, port 49, chamber 48 and passage 47. Similarly, when the movable valve member 27 is moved to its other extreme position,the supply pipe 39 will be connected with the pipe 22 leading to the motor cylinder '20, and the other pipe 21 will be connected with the exhaust pipe 1'6. Y

The thermostat-supporting yoke 50 is slidably keyed at 50', on the housing extension 38.

The -spring 51 urges the yoke inwardly fagainst the rotary cam 52 from which extends the crank arm 53. By rotating the crank arm 53 to different positions designated on the arcuate scale-54, the temperature at which the valve will function can be adjusted as will be hereinafter apparent. A plurality of bimetallic thermostatic bars 55, coupled together so as to obtain the requisite power, are connected through the equalizing connection 56 with the stem 57 which extends inwardly to the slidable valve member 27. An extensible rubber sleeve 58 secured at one end to the enclosing housing and at the inner end to the stem-assembly serves as a sealing means to prevent the escape of fluid about the valve stem. r

When the temperature within the car is above a desired maximum, the thermostatic bars .55 will flex inwardly so as to move the valve 27 into the position indicated in Fig. 4. The motive-fluid will now be directed to metor 20 so as to move the parts to the position shown in'Fig. 2 thus permitting the springactuated curtains 12 to roll down and leave the openings 7 unobstructed. When the temperature within the car has been reduced below the desired maxiihum, the thermostatic bars 55 will straighten out so as to move the valve member 27 to its outer position whereupon the motive fluid will be directed to the other end of motor cylinder 20, and the piston 19 will be forced out so as to draw in the cables 13 and elevate the curtains 12 across the openings 7. I This will obstruct the flow of air from the main compartment 3 through the refrigerating compartments 5thus stopping or impeding the refrigerating process.

Referring now again to Figs. 1, 2 and-3-, outlet pipes 59and 60 for the vaporized refrigerant under pressure lead from the respective tanks or containers 9 and 9 to a coupler 61 from which leads the supply pipe 39' extending to the valve 23 as already described. A'fourth pipe 62 leads from coupler 61 through cut-ofi valve 63 to the cooling coil 64 positioned behind the bulkhead 4.

extends to a pop-ofl'. valve'66 which will remain closed until a predetermined pressure has been bullt up 1n the refrigerant containers, this pressure being sufficient to operate the motor 20, and .the fan-operating motors. 5

hereinafter described. A pair of similar fans 67 are so positioned adjacent the outlet passage 8 as to enforce a circulation of air through the refrigerating chamber 5. These fans are driven by the fluid-pressure motors 68. The pipe leads to a three way valve 69 of any well-known type, from which extends the alternative outlet pipes 70 and 71. The pipe 70 is a discharge pipe extending outside the car. Pipe 71 leads to a T-connection 72 from which the pipes 73 lead to the respective motors 68'. Discharge pipes 74 lead from the motors 68 outside the car. When valve 69 is in the position shown in- Fig. 3, the motive-fluid will be directed from pipe65 through pipes 71 and 73 to the respective motors 68 so as to operate the fans. valve 69 is operated by 'a crank arm 75 and when this arm is swun up to the position shown in dotted lines Fig. 3) the flow of pressure fluid-to the motors will be cut oif'and the fluid will be discharged through pipe 70.

The valve operated lever 75 is connected in any suitable'manner with the mechanism which operates the curtain 12 so that the fans 67 will onl operate when the curtain is lowrepresented by the distance between stops 78.

and 79 is taken up the stop 78 will engage lever 75 and swing it up to the dotted line position thereby cutting off the supply of motive fluid to the fan-operating motors. In a similar but reverse manner, when the The s fan-operating motors 68.

The refrigerating units B situated at the two ends of the car may be entirely independent of one another as far as the means for exhausting the vaporized refrigerant and operating the fan motors is concerned. In the example here shown the central curtainoperating mechanism C issupplied with motive fluid from only one end of the car, although the pressure pipe 39 might extend from both ends of the car, thus serving the additional function of an equalizing pipe to' equalize the pressures in the two sets of refrigerant containers at the two ends of the car.

It will be understood that there is normally no discharge of refrigerant through the pipe 39, this pipemerely being maintained full of vaporized refrigerant under pressure sufficient to operate the motor cylinder 20. Each time this cylinder is operated to open or close the curtains 12, a certain amount of refrigerant will be discharged through pipe 46, but at other times there is no outlet for refrigerant through this valve.

As the refrigerant vaporizes in tanks 9 and 9 and the pressure is built up, there will be no discharge of refrigerant until the requisite pressure has been built up to operate the motors 20 and 68. The pop-off valve 66 will then open and permit a flow of refrigerant to the fan motors 68 from which it is discharged from the car through pipes 74. The fans will operate as long as there is sufficient gas pressure evolved from the refrigerant tank and so long as the curtains 12 are lowered to permit the circulation of air through the refrigerating chambers. ,When' the temperature Within car'compartment 3 has been lowered to the predetermined temperature, valve 23 will be thermostatically operated so as to cause motor 20 to elevate the curtains or shutters 12. Simultaneously the' valves 69 will be operated to cut-01f the flow of vaporized refrigerant to the fan blowers 68 and discharge the refrigerant directly from the car through pipe 70.

It will be noted that the action is entirely automatic. Until such time as suflicient gas pressure has been built up in the system by the vaporization of refrigerant, the fans will not operate, since there will be no flow of gas permitted past the valve 66. In this manner sufficient pressure is built up to insure a proper operation of motor cylinder 20 for controlling the curtains 12. Any excess pressure which is developed will cause the gas to flow past the valves 66and either be discharged from the car through pipe 7 0 (when the curtains 12 are raised) or first flow erated fan so as to simply control the natural thermal circulation of air through the passages 7, 5 and 8.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment tobe refrigerated, a. closed container for confininga quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, and means actuated by fluid under pressure developed in thecontainer for operating the closure.

2. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigeran which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, and thermostatically controlled means actuated by fluid under pressure developed intlre container for operating the closure.

3. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated,a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a

passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fluid-pressure motor actuated by gas under presspre developed in the container for operating the closure, and a thermostatically operated means for controlling the motor.

4. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a

when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a

one of the openings, a motor comprlsin a.

V fluid pressure cylinder for operating the c oclosure and the fan.

sure, a control valve, a supply conduit for motive fluid extending from the container to the valve, branch conduits leading from the valve to the respective ends of the cylinder, and thermostatic-means for controlling thevalve.

6. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for'one of the openings, a fan for enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, and means actuated by fluid under pressure developed in the container for operating the 7. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantit of refrigerant which when heat is absorbe thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for oneof the openings, a fan for enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, and thermostatically controlled means actuated by fluid under pressure developed in the container for operating the closure andthe fan.

8. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolvesgas,

a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fan for enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, and means actuated by fluid under pressure developed in the container for o crating the closure and for operating the an only when the closure is open.

9. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which whenheat isabsorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fluid-pressure motor actuated by gas under pressure developed in the container for operating the closure, a' fan for enforcin' a circulation of air through the passage, a uid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a conduit for directing gas under pressure from the container to the fan-motor, a valve in this conduit, and

connections for adjusting this valve so that the fan will only operate when the closure is 'open, and thermostatic means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to the first mentioned motor. I

10. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantit of'refrigerant which when heat is absorbe thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air maybe circudated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a

closure for one of the openin s, a fluid-pressure motor actuated by gas on er pressure developed in the container for operating the closure, a fan for enforcin a circulation of" air through the passage, a aid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a conduit for directing gas under pressure from the conta'iner to the fan-motor, a valve in this conduit, and connections between this valveand the closure for adjusting this valve so that the fan will only operate when the closureis open, and thermostatic means for controlling the flow of motive fluid to the first mentioned motor. v

11. In arefrigerator car, a maincompart ment to be refrigerated, -a closed'container for confining a quantity of solidified carbondioxide, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outletopenings communicating with the main compartment, a

closure for one of the openings, and means actuated by, vaporized carbon dioxide under pressure developed in the'containenfor operating the-closure.

12. In a refrlgerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, aclosed container for confining a quantity of solidified carbondioxide, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact. with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, and

thermostatically controlled means actuated by vaporized carbon dioxide under pressure developed in the container for operating the closure.

2 13. In a refrigerator car, a..ma1n compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confininga quantity of solidified carbondioxide, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fan for enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, and thermostatically controlled means actuated by vaporized carbon-dioxide under pressure developed in the container for operating the closure and for operating the fan when the closure is open.

14. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a

closure for one of the openings, a fluid-pre'ssure motor for operating the closure a fan for enforcing a circulatlon of air through the passage, a fluid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a discharge conduit for gas under pressure leading from the container, a pop-off valve in this conduit which only opens when a predetermined pressure has been built up, a branch conduit leading from the discharge conduit to the closure-operating motor, a thermostatically controlled valve in this latter conduit, a three-way valve in the discharge conduit, there being two discharge branches leading from this valveone of which leads through the fan-operating motor, and operating connections between the three-way valve and the closure.

15. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fluid-pressure motor for operating the closure, a fan for enforcing a circulation .of air through the passage, a fluid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a discharge conduit for gas under pressure leading from; the container,

a pop-oil valve in this conduit which only opens when a predetermined pressure has been built up, a branch conduit leading from the discharge conduit to the closure-operatin motor, a thermostatically controlled va Vein this latter conduit, a three-way valve in the discharge conduit, there being two discharge branches leading from this valve one of which leads through the fan-operating motor, and means whereby the three-way valve will be moved to direct the pressure fluid through the fan-motor when the closure is open and through the alternative discharge branch conduit when the closure is moved to closed position.

16. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a closure for one of the openings, a fluid pressure motor for operating the closure, a fan for enforcing a circulation of air through the passage, a fluid-pressure motor for operating 79 the fan, a discharge conduit for gas under pressure leading from the container, a popofi' valve in this conduit which only opens when a predetermined pressure has been built I up, a branch conduit leading from the dis- 7 charge conduit to the closure-operating motor, a thermostatically controlled valve in this latter conduit, a cooling coil located in the passage adjacent the container and connected in circuit in the discharge conduit, 80

a three-way valve in the discharge conduit, there being two dischargebranches leading from this valve one of which leads through the fan-operating motor, and operating connections between the three-way valve and the closure.

17. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of refrigerant which when heat is absorbed thereby evolves gas, a passage through which air may be circu- I lated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, a

closure for one of the openings, a fluid-pressure motor for operatin closure, a fan for enforcinga circulation of air through the-passage, a fluid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a dischar e conduit for gas under pressure leading rom the container, a pop-01f valve in this conduit which only opens when a redetermined pressure has been built up, a ranch conduit leading from the discharge conduit to the closure-operating motor, a

thermostatically controlled valve in this latter conduit, a cooling coil located in the passage adjacent the container and connected in circuit in the discharge conduit, a three-way valve in the dischar e conduit, there being two discharge branc es leading from this 11 valve one of which leads through the fanoperating motor, and means whereby the three-way valve will be moved to direct the pressure fluid through the fan-motor when the closure is 0 en, and through the alter'native discharge ranch conduit when the 010-, sure is moved to closed position.

l 18. In a refrigerator car, a main compartment to be refrigerated, a closed container for confining a quantity of solidified carbon dioxide, a passage through which air may be circulated in contact with the container, said passage having inlet and outlet openings communicating with the main compartment, 5 a closure for one of the openings, a fluidressure motor for operating the closure, a

an or enforcin a circulation of air through the pasage, a uid-pressure motor for operating the fan, a. dischai' conduit for gas under pressure leading om the container,

the discharge conduit to the closure-operat ing motor, a thermostatically controlled valve in this latter conduit, a three-way valve in the discharge conduit, there being two discharge branches leading from this-valve one I of which leads through'the fan-operating motor, and means whereby the three-way valve will be moved to direct the pressure fluid through the fan-motor when the closure is open, and throu h the alternative discharge closed position.

EDWARD G. WOOD.

"I0 branch conduit W en the closure is moved to i we 

